In the Name of Empress-Chapter 483 - 320: Shameless Ambush (Part 2)

The garrison did everything it could.

However, Frank Castle remained perilous and was on the verge of falling.

There was no choice, the disparity in military strength between the two sides was too great.

He could only watch as the Prudon people opened up mountain roads and slowly, yet unstoppably, transported cannons to the mountaintop positions.

As soon as these hundreds of cannons were mounted, the fall of Frank Castle was only a matter of time.

More despairingly, he had no power to stop it.

Sending out small forces was useless, and deploying large troops outside the city would be tantamount to falling into the enemy’s trap.

Positioning cannons on the mountain wasn’t an uncommon tactic. Back in the battle of Helentz Castle, the Oden Kingdom Army did the same.

However, the firepower levels of the Oden Kingdom Army paled in comparison to the Prudon, without blast damage bullets infused with magic elements, they could only rely on inertial force to smash.

Moreover, Helentz had a complete dungeon system, capable of holding out even after the surface had fallen.

More importantly, back then, there was Her Majesty the Empress and Governor Roland leading a group of masters to retake the mountaintop; how could we achieve that now?

The Prudon people were not second-rate opponents like the Oden Kingdom, their defenses on the mountaintop were close to perfection.

The garrison in the city could only stand by helplessly as they carried the cannons up, set them up, and mercilessly blasted into the city without any counter.

Perhaps there was only one way left: a breakout.

But this was nothing short of a dead end.

The Prudon cavalry was merely absent, not decimated.

Over a vast three-hundred-mile stretch of plain, letting infantry race against cavalry... any general commanding such would rightly face a military tribunal. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Unable to fight, unable to retreat, with no escape route, Dailong’s mood was understandably bleak.

He stood atop the watchtower, observing the opposing mountaintop, where the artillery positions were under heated construction, his eyes too troubled to keep open.

Just as he was at a loss, footsteps sounded from behind.

At moments like this, only one person could approach the watchtower without notification; his deputy, the hero of the Helentz Castle defense, Jacobs.

Hope surged within Dailong’s heart.

Jacobs had performed miracles before, maybe he truly had a method?

He abruptly turned around and caught a glance of his deputy, momentarily stupefied.

Was this still the high-spirited newcomer Vice Admiral aiming for a hereditary baronship or even a countship?

Jacobs’ beard hadn’t been shaved for at least three days, his eyes were sunken, his face was haggard, and although his uniform was tidy, it couldn’t conceal the faint scent of gunpowder.

His left hand was further wrapped in thick bandages.

Jacobs’ hoarse voice was filled with fatigue, "I’m sorry, though it’s difficult to say, but the outer positions couldn’t be held and have already entirely fallen."

Jacobs led over six thousand in the defense outside the city; he was courageous and steadfastly executed Dailong’s commands, yet still crumbled under the immense pressure of the Prudon.

War follows objective laws; courage and will are certainly useful, but relying solely on them is far from sufficient.

After reporting the situation of the final position’s struggle and the casualty ratios, Jacobs asked in a low voice:

"General Dailong, what should we do?"

Though he sympathized with Jacobs, the question left Dailong somewhat speechless; if he had a plan, would he still be standing here dazed?

Even if Lord Governor himself were to come and micromanage, this battle couldn’t be fought.

"You are the hero of the Helentz Castle defense battle; you have experience in such defensive battles, do you think we still have a chance, if there’s..."

"No."

Jacobs straightforwardly interrupted before he could finish.

Dailong: "..."

Couldn’t you let me finish before interrupting?

Though directly interrupted, he couldn’t bring himself to be angry, after all, they were comrades fighting side by side, cooperating excellently these past days.

Constructing the defense system was the result of their collaboration.

Dailong mockingly smiled, responding with Sussex-style humor: "No way out, huh? Perhaps we should learn from you several years ago and dig frantically downward; maybe we’ll find the Alamanni Empire’s old arsenal."

"Sorry, there isn’t one of those either."

Jacobs calmly said, "Dailong, you only came here two months ago, while I organized a team to dig a year ago, digging for a full three months, going down two hundred meters, finding nothing."

"Well, not completely nothing, at least we gained a few bills and a reprimand from headquarters."

Though he tried to keep it humorous, Dailong couldn’t laugh.

Helentz Castle was defendable; certainly, subterranean structures were important, but it was the unearthed arsenal that was crucial.

In this era where technology relies mainly on archaeology, finding relics of the Alamanni Empire basically meant hitting the jackpot.

After all, the Alamanni people were inherently meticulous; their armaments were carefully preserved by wrapping in oilcloth, never rusting or rotting, regardless of duration.

Seeing Dailong’s disappointed expression, Jacobs couldn’t help jokingly remark, "Such good fortune only happens about once, yet you hope for a second?"

After a brief pause, he couldn’t help but complain, "However, that kid Tom refuses to accept it; he’s led another excavation team down."

"The young man who performed outstandingly in the Helentz Castle defense battle?"

"Yes, I heard he’s on next month’s promotion list, he’ll soon be a Lieutenant Colonel."

Lieutenant Colonel, barely eighteen, truly young and promising; a batch of young officers is also on the promotion list alongside Tom.

These individuals are the future of the Empire; they are young, promising, and full of spirit.

Bringing up this name, Jacobs couldn’t help but feel aged.

Although not yet forty, faced with the youngsters’ ingenious ideas, he truly struggled to keep pace.

If not for being their old leader, perhaps these young people wouldn’t choose to associate with him.